Dozens of House Democrats joined forces to vote against a resolution seeking to condemn acts of violence against America’s police officers.
The House passed a resolution on Friday after the vast majority of lawmakers backed the measure.
condemning violence against law enforcement and calls to defund the police on Friday,
All Republicans voted for the bill condemning violence against law enforcement and calls to defund the police
The resolution passed 337 to 61, with 134 “yes” votes from Democrats.
However, 61 Democrats voted against the measure.
It’s the last law enforcement-related bill House GOP leaders have teed up this week to commemorate Police Week.
The resolution text indirectly cited the Black Lives Matter riots and “defund the police” protests of the summer of 2020.
The measure argues that “respect for the rule of law and law enforcement officials diminished” since then.
It appeared to go after progressive policies that critics have panned as soft-on-crime.
The text notes that “policies implemented at several state and local jurisdictions have increased the difficulty and added significant risks for law enforcement to do their jobs effectively and safely.”
The legislation also knocked a “lack of accountability for violent criminals with decreased penalties and no-bail policies.”
These policies, it said, have “opened the door for record criminal activity in cities across the country.”
The resolution was led by Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN).
In support of the measure on the House floor Friday morning, Stauber said:
“If you had asked me a few years ago if my children should become law enforcement officers, I would’ve undoubtedly said yes.
“But after these last few years, observing the treatment of law enforcement officers, I would have to think twice about my answer.”
He said police officers had “become punching bags” and were “villainized by Hollywood.”
“They expect them to take the verbal assault and show up with a smile on their face ready to serve,” Stauber said, adding that, “despite this treatment and abuse, they will show up.”
Democrat critics have dismissed the bill as partisan and argued it does not do anything to actually improve circumstances for police officers.
While referencing the January 2023 police killing of Tyre Nichols, Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-MD) said during the debate on the resolution:
“We want to honor police because every community needs them…but even they recognize over time that the bad apples…they have to be separated out because it’s important for the police to police themselves.”
It comes after the FBI released new statistics this week showing that assaults against law enforcement reached a ten-year-high in 2023, with 79,000 recorded attacks.
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